Thinking About A Home-Based Business...where Do I Start???

I am really not an expert cake decorator. I mostly like to do just cupcakes with swirls. I am not very creative as far as ideas are concerned. I can look at a picture of a cake and pretty much copy it, but I am not too creative coming up with designs. I also have lupus, so my hands are very arthritic..therefore, cupcakes are just much easier for me.

I have not charged for any cakes/cupcakes yet. But my friend, who is decorator, said I should get paid for what I love to do. I've seemed to become more in demand...many friends of friends are asking me to do cupcakes for them.

I don't know where to start. I don't know if my county even ALLOWS a home based business. I do have pets, but I turn on the Rainbow vacuum on high air cleaner and I clean the kitchen before making anything, as well as putting them up in our bedroom with the door shut. I'd be horrified if anyone found pet hair in my icing!!!!!!

Can anyone tell me where I start finding out if I can even have one and how it works?? Can I write off part of my mortgage with a home based business?

Sometimes you can find out by a search on the internet. Type in your state and "cottage industry laws" you might get lucky that way --my state has it outlined in the Agriculture division under Home based businesses. You might find the info you need in this forum:[url]http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-586218.html[/url]